Dunken Francis

For most of the 1990's, Dunken was Sempai (senior student) and assistant instructor to Sensei H. W. Foster, 7th Dan at the headquarters of the Institute of Aikido (The Hut Dojo) in West London - the birthplace of Aikido in the UK.

He trained under H.W. Foster sensei since beginning his Aikido career in 1974 as a young child , and for a several years was also a student of Ron Russell sensei a great Aikido teacher who contributed greatly to the spread of Aikido throughout New Zealand.

In September 2005 Dunken emigrated to new Zealand and founded The Institute of Aikido Auckland dojo in Okura, and in 2009 built one of the few custom designed dedicated Aikido dojo's in New Zealand at his property in Silverdale, north of Auckland.

Training at The Hut dojo instilled in Dunken a commitment to the principles of Riai - "Blending of Truths", and he is a strong advocate for the regular practice of Aiki-jo and Aiki-ken.

Mainly focusing upon teaching beginners and trying to bring new people into the art, and to help newcomers clarify the myriad of techniques and technical terms used in our art, "Aikido - A Beginner's Guide" was published in July 2003, and the accompanying DVD "Aikido - The First Steps" in 2005.

Sensei Francis leads seminars all over New Zealand and Australia and is well known for his "open door" policy at his dojo's. His strong focus on bio-mechanical fundamentals draws students not just from within Aikido but from many other styles of martial arts.